Results 13,121-13,140 of 23,964 for speaker:Charlie McConalogue

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Trade Missions (25 Nov 2020)

Charlie McConalogue: Gaining third country market access and opening trading opportunities around the world for Irish exports have long been integral to my Department’s strategic approach to the development of the agri-food sector. This is particularly important as we deal with the challenges presented by Brexit and the COVID-19 pandemic. Trade missions have become an integral part of this strategy,...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agriculture Schemes (25 Nov 2020)

Charlie McConalogue: The On-farm Market Valuation Scheme is the principal compensation scheme available to farmers who suffer a bovine TB breakdown. Under this scheme, applications for compensation on the basis of a live valuation are issued to all farmers who suffer a breakdown with the exception of those whose animals are discovered to have TB lesions at the time of slaughter. Live valuations are carried out by...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Public Procurement Contracts (25 Nov 2020)

Charlie McConalogue: My Department ensures that there is an appropriate focus on good practice in procurement and that procedures are in place to ensure compliance with relevant guidelines and legislation. Social clauses cover a broad range of considerations and include for example labour standards, training for young people and environmental sustainability. EU and national rules promote an open,...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Departmental Bodies (25 Nov 2020)

Charlie McConalogue: I have recently established a new Forestry Policy Group to help inform forest policy development in Ireland. The group is due to have its first meeting this week. I expect the group to work together to contribute to the development of current and future forestry policy and to help in delivering on the ambitious objectives of the Programme for Government. I have considered very carefully...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agriculture Schemes (25 Nov 2020)

Charlie McConalogue: New Entrant to Farming is one of the two priority categories supported under the National Reserve. Part of the eligibility requirements under the new entrant category of the National Reserve is that the applicant must have commenced the present agricultural activity in the two calendar years prior to the year of application under the scheme. Additionally, the applicant is required to not...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Beef Industry (25 Nov 2020)

Charlie McConalogue: As the Deputy is aware, the draft application by Bord Bia for a PGI for Irish Grass Fed Beef was agreed in principle by stakeholders at the last meeting of the Beef Task Force on 22 October. My Department is currently completing the necessary steps to finalise the application for submission to the European Commission, and I hope that this will happen shortly. These steps include the...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Beef Industry (25 Nov 2020)

Charlie McConalogue: As the Deputy is aware, the draft application by Bord Bia for a PGI for Irish Grass Fed Beef was agreed in principle by stakeholders at the last meeting of the Beef Task Force on 22 October. My Department is currently completing the necessary steps to finalise the application for submission to the European Commission, and I hope that this will happen shortly. As the Competent Authority,...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Departmental Reports (25 Nov 2020)

Charlie McConalogue: My Department, through our agency Teagasc, conducted research under the 'SQUARE' research project on the extent of soil compaction in grassland soils across a range of different soil and drainage types. In this research 40 grassland field-sites were assessed from across Ireland and within this a range of permanent pastures and improved grassland. Due to increased organic matter, and the...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: GLAS Issues (25 Nov 2020)

Charlie McConalogue: The person named was approved into GLAS 3 with a contract commencement date of 1 January 2017 and has received full payments for scheme years 2017, 2018 and 2019 and has also received the 2020 85% advance payment. In this case, the Chough action was not listed on the application at the time of its submission and approval. It is not possible to add additional actions once the GLAS contract is...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Veterinary Medicines (24 Nov 2020)

Charlie McConalogue: My congratulations to the Leas-Chathaoirleach's county. Despite the tremendous disappointment we felt in Donegal, there was also great joy to see Cavan progress-----

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Veterinary Medicines (24 Nov 2020)

Charlie McConalogue: We can certainly agree on that. I thank the Leas-Chathoirleach and wish Cavan the best of luck in the semi-final. I thank Senator Boyhan for raising this matter which he has also raised with me privately and at the recent meeting of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Agriculture and the Marine. EU Regulation 2019/6 on veterinary medicinal products comes into effect in January 2022, and as...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Veterinary Medicines (24 Nov 2020)

Charlie McConalogue: I thank Senator Boyhan. I am very much aware of the issues and of the concerns among wholesalers and merchants with regard to the potential impact this regulation may have on their businesses. I am also aware of concerns among the farming community as to whether any change could lead to an increase in costs or additional challenges for farmers. I see the role of the stakeholders' group as...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Areas of Natural Constraint Scheme (24 Nov 2020)

Charlie McConalogue: Under the current Rural Development Regulation (and subsequent amendments under the Omnibus Regulation), Member States were required to change the approach to the designation of land under the Areas of Natural Constraints Scheme. Previously, my Department had been identifying eligible areas using a range of socio economic indicators such as family farm income, population density, percentage...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Public Procurement Contracts (24 Nov 2020)

Charlie McConalogue: My Department ensures that there is an appropriate focus on good practice in procurement and that procedures are in place to ensure compliance with relevant guidelines and legislation. EU and national rules promote an open, competitive and non-discriminatory public procurement regime which delivers value for money. EU Directives declare that there can be legitimate reasons for awarding...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Farmers Markets (24 Nov 2020)

Charlie McConalogue: My Department is very supportive of markets, both urban and rural, that promote local and sustainable foods. In the past, my Department has provided ex-gratia funds to a co-operative society that runs local markets throughout Ireland in order to sell fresh farm, garden and home produce and craftwork of its members. This funding is designed to assist with the day-to-day operational costs of...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Legislative Process (24 Nov 2020)

Charlie McConalogue: A public consultation on the review of the European Union (Birds and Natural Habitats) (Sea-fisheries) Regulations 2013 (S.I. No. 290 of 2013) commenced on 10 September 2020 and closed on 9 October 2020. Notification of the public consultation was published on the Department website, on FishingNet.ie and in the Irish Independent. Emails inviting submissions were also sent to interested...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Legislative Process (24 Nov 2020)

Charlie McConalogue: My Department sought to waive pre-legislative scrutiny on the Forestry Miscellaneous Provisions Bill 2020 (then titled the Agriculture Appeals Act, 2001). This legislation was implemented to reform the forestry appeals process by bringing it into line with similar planning processes and is one of the commitments in the Programme for Government. There was, however, extensive consultation...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Departmental Staff (24 Nov 2020)

Charlie McConalogue: I wish to advise the Deputy that the role of Data Protection Officer in my Department is assigned at the level of Principal Officer.

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agriculture Schemes (24 Nov 2020)

Charlie McConalogue: I have successfully negotiated an increased budget for 2021 with an additional €4 million to facilitate the re-opening of the Organic Farming Scheme (OFS) next year. This Scheme cannot open until the transitional regulations, proposed by the European Commission, have been finalised. My Department is, however, currently preparing for the re-opening of the Scheme. The number of entrants...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Hare Coursing (24 Nov 2020)

Charlie McConalogue: Hare coursing is regulated under the Greyhound Industry Act, 1958 chiefly by the Irish Coursing Club (ICC), subject to the general control and direction of Rásaíocht Con Éireann. Hare coursing is managed and regulated by the ICC. Hares can only be collected for coursing by clubs affiliated to the ICC, in accordance with the terms of two licences granted by the Department of...